ASUU Issues 14-Day Strike Ultimatum to FG Over Lingering University Challenges
ASUU Issues 14-Day Strike Ultimatum to FG Over Lingering University Challenges
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to address unresolved issues affecting Nigeria’s public universities or risk another nationwide industrial action.
This was contained in a communiqué released at the end of the union’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at the Yakubu Gowon University, formerly known as the University of Abuja. The outcome of the meeting was made public in Abuja on Monday by ASUU President, Prof. Christopher Piwuna.
According to the statement, ASUU expressed deep frustration over what it described as government’s consistent failure to honour agreements reached with the union on matters ranging from university funding, revitalisation of infrastructure, earned academic allowances, and the proliferation of state universities without adequate funding.
Prof. Piwuna noted that despite several meetings and assurances, many of the demands dating back to previous negotiations remain unmet, leaving the university system in a state of neglect.
“We cannot continue to watch our universities collapse due to government’s insincerity and lack of commitment to agreements freely entered into. If in the next 14 days there is no tangible action from the Federal Government, ASUU will have no option but to embark on a total, indefinite strike,” the statement read.
The union also criticised the government for failing to prioritise education, warning that the consequences of neglecting the sector would be dire for Nigeria’s future.
ASUU called on well-meaning Nigerians, civil society organisations, and stakeholders in the education sector to prevail on the government to avert another nationwide shutdown of academic activities.
If implemented, the looming strike could disrupt academic calendars across federal and state universities, affecting millions of students and further deepening concerns about the quality of higher education in the country.
